Panama - Mammals of the Canopy Tower

Tour Code: PAN02

An 11-day, 2-centre wildlife holiday to the rainforests of Soberanía National Park (based at the world-famous Canopy Tower) and El Valle in the foothills of Central Panama, in search of the exciting mammals and birds which live in the region.

11 days from
£4,195

Land only price from
£3,295

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Highlights

Summary

Panama is home to over 200 species of mammals and some of them, such as sloths, anteaters and tapirs will be well known to the Western naturalist. This holiday offers a chance to see these, as well as some that are less well known including Tayra, grisons, solenodons, and bats that make tents! We’ll be based for a week in the world-famous Canopy Tower at tree-top level, with 360° views over the canopy and a chance to observe many otherwise elusive canopy mammals. Mammal-watching will be our main focus, but Panama also offers some of the best birdwatching in Central America, including trogons, motmots and tanagers.

Howlers, capuchins, spider monkeys & Geoffroy’s Tamarin
Armadillos, 3 species of sloth, coatis, Silky Anteater & Agouti
Nocturnal mammals such as Western Night Monkey & Kinkajou
A wealth of canopy birds: jacamars, puffbirds, manakin leks & antbirds
Hummingbirds at feeders, including White-necked Jacobin & more
Visit to Barro Colorado Island & the Panama Canal
Neotropical reptiles, plus hear about conservation of the Golden Frog
Led by expert local naturalist guides

Grading

This is a traditional lodge-based birding tour with no strenuous walking involved, although some trails at El Valle are steep and can be slippery.

Panama is well known for offering some of the best birdwatching in Central America, but it is also home to over 200 species of mammal — from sloths and anteaters, to tapirs and Kinkajous! On this new tour we’sll spend an entire week residing at tree-top level in the world famous Canopy Tower, an excellent vantage point for seeing a wide range of mammals, including Mantled Howler Monkey, Nine-banded Long-nosed Armadillo, White-nosed Coati, Silky Anteater, Agouti and White-faced Capuchins to name but a few. The main viewing deck offers superb 360? views over the canopy and the chance to observe exciting and otherwise elusive canopy species. Although mammal watching will be our focus, the surrounding rainforest offers some superb Neotropical birdwatching, including trogons, motmots, jacamars, puffbirds, manakins, antbirds and tanagers. Panama really is a naturalist’s paradise and all around us there are surprises in store: Tayras and grisons, soledons and opossums ? and bats that make tents!

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

In flight to Panama City; Canopy Tower

Day 2

Semaphore Hill & Ammo Pond

Day 3

Pipeline Road & Summit Gardens

Day 4

Plantation Trail & Old Gamboa Road

Day 5

Lake Gatun & Gamboa Wildlife Sanctuary

Day 6

Metropolitan Natural Park & Panama Canal

Day 7

Discovery Centre & Pipeline Road

Day 8/9

Canopy Lodge, El Valle de Anton

Day 10

El Valle/In flight

Day 11

London

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation: The Canopy Tower is a converted former radar and look out tower. See full tour itinerary for detailed information on accommodation.
Food: All included within the cost of the tour.

Reviews

A unique base with a stunning view each morning over the rainforest. Not many places where you can watch a Sloth munching its leafy meal, a family of Tamarins feeding on the fruit of a nearby Cecropia, with a vast array of colourful birds such as Keel - billed Toucans, Slaty - Tailed Trogan and Green Shrike Vireo. A night drive resulted in a Silky Anteater, Panamanian Night Monkey's and 9 Banded Armadillo among others. The days were thought out well with the high humidity in mind. The guides Alex and Eric didn't miss a thing! We visited various areas of forest with birds numbering over 200 by the end of the holiday with 2 nights at Canopy Lodge. The morning boat trip on Lake Gatun was wonderful. I have travelled with Naturetrek many times now and have always come away with fantastic memories from each adventure. I will continue to use Naturetrek in the future due to every aspect of their organising skills as an operator.
L.S., Kent, May 25
The holiday was based on discovering the mammals of Panama. I thought we would just be in the rain forest. I was very wrong! We also explored cloud forest, coast and the waterways of the canal and saw 29 different mammal species within 8 days. An amazing holiday in a fascinating country! Naturetrek offer a really good selection of wildlife holidays, all with amazing knowledgeable and friendly guides, most of them local to the area visited. Pre-trip information is excellent, as is the knowledge of staff.
J.E. West Midlands, May 24
This was our first holiday with Naturetrek and we were very impressed by the efficient organization and information sent from the company, such as the pre-departure information. We also thought all aspects of the location at Canopy Tower, and later at Canopy Lodge were impressive. The guides were excellent; they were experienced and knowledgeable, and took us to the best sites in the rainforests and the Panama Canal, seeking out a wide range of fantastic mammals, birds and reptiles, from Sloths, Possums and Howler Monkeys, to Owls, Parrots and Toucans. We were with nine other guests which felt like a good sized group to go with. The food was also excellent!
C.G. Lancashire, May 24

Recently returned from a Naturetrek holiday in Panama. Our group comprised just two couples and me, so was delighted that it went ahead as I feared it would be cancelled. Travel disruption in Panama due to fuel-cost protestors meant we were unable to get to the second lodge for the last two nights of our tour, but the extra nights at our first lodge, Canopy Tower, didn’t detract in any way from my enjoyment of the holiday - it’s a unique place to stay, with excellent views of the visiting wildlife from its canopy-level observation deck. The lodge is extremely comfortable with great food, and all the staff were friendly and helpful, especially the manager when I discovered I’d left or lost my passport at the airport when I arrived in the country!! Our naturalist/guide was exceptional, ensuring we saw (almost!) everything we wanted to see. I also enjoyed our two boat trips, the visit to Fuerte San Lorenzo, and our visit to the Panama Canal museum/Miraflores Lock - good to have some history of the country too. My 4th tour with Naturetrek - have always found the office staff very helpful and the website is extremely informative about the tours it offers (detailed itineraries, previous tour reports, reviews) and the pre-departure information provided is comprehensive. I especially liked watching the live webinars the company produced during the pandemic - it was these that inspired me to book Panama, a country I hadn’t previously thought about visiting, and - in addition to a Madagascar tour that I hope goes ahead at the end of October (after two previous cancellations) - am already thinking about booking Zambia with them for next year!
S.T. Avon, July 22

We had fantastic guides, who were very knowledgeable and we stayed in the Canopy Tower which gave us great opportunities for viewing wildlife on their level, high up in the trees! As well as mammals we saw many species of birds and a number of reptiles. We drove and had walks in the rainforest and also had a boat trip. We also visited the Panama canal which was very interesting. Naturetrek are great as a specialist wildlife holiday company. They have very experienced guides, and stay in good accommodation. They give very detailed information about their trips on the website and are always happy to answer any queries.
J.D. Avon, May 22

A 2 centre holiday in the rainforest and cloudforest of Panama. Accommodation in the Canopy tower was unique and akin to staying in a treehouse for a week; I could not have imagined such close encounters with wildlife. Our guides were excellent which enhanced the experience and we enjoyed good food!
J.P. Wiltshire, July 19

The accommodation was at the top of an old US Radar Tower in the middle of the jungle. This gave the opportunity to watch birds and arborial animals at eye-level. Since retiring, I have watched wildlife in several places around the world with excellent Guides, but Alex, the local guide on this holiday was in a class of his own. His uncanny knack of locating wildlife in deep vegetation was amazing. We saw 223 species of birds and 24 species of animals, most of which I had never heard of before, such as the Kinkajou, Northern Tamandua and Olinga. We also had a visit to the Panama Canal Visitors Centre, which had a huge observation platform with a commentary on the operation of the Canal, details of the ships passing through and their destinations. Altogether a brilliant holiday, exceeding all expectations in every way.
A.B. Gloucestershire

The Canopy Tower is a marvellous place to stay, we were woken in the morning to the wonderful sounds of the rain forest, Howler Monkeys, insects, birds, frogs. The first Sloth I saw in my life, was from one of the dining-room windows, just outside, in a tree, almost within reach! It was fantastic. One of many trips out was to see the Panama Canal, an amazing sight. We went on a motor-boat passing all different sorts of boats & huge ships with a lot of people waving to each other. The Panama information centre was very informative about its history. Jose Soto, our leader, was very good, kind and very knowledgeable with both birds & animals.
B.G. Swansea

On the final evening I asked the group what were their highs and lows of the trip - the answers were all highs and no lows. A superb trip with much diversity - i.e. the canal, its locks, the Panama Railway, the reserves visited and of course all the birds, mammals and bugs that wished to see us!
Mr L. Lancashire

Our leader Jose Soto was very friendly and helpful and excellent at spotting wildlife. We were very well looked after at all the places we stayed... The food was very good and plentiful. I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday.
R.R. Nottinghamshire

This was a great holiday, only one half day with rain while we were out, and another while we were crossing Gatun Lake on the Canal transit. Surprisingly few mosquitoes. I thoroughly enjoyed the day at Barro Colorado Island, a reserve which I had known about for many years and never imagined that one day I would visit it.
Dr M. Cambridgeshire

The Canopy Tower was excellent with great wildlife viewing opportunities, good food and friendly, helpful staff. We enjoyed our stay there very much.
Mr & Mrs C. Kinross

This was a fantastic trip - couldn’t have been better! I enjoy these full itineraries which pack a lot in to the trip but still feel relaxed. Good to have some variety with a visit to the Panama Canal too. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and the country is beautiful with an amazing range of wildlife. The Canopy Tower was a very interesting place to stay and great for wildlife watching, with howler monkeys, toucans and sloths outside the windows. The Canopy Lodge was a nice bit of luxury for a couple of days at the end of the trip.
E.R. Lincolnshire

It was all very enjoyable. The Canopy Tower is basic accommodation, but staying in the Tower is excellent - the amazing views from the top of the Tower outside are wonderful. Colourful birds, also mammals, were very close, with the early morning sun lighting it all up.
B.G. Glamorgan

Staying at the Canopy Tower was a great experience and the food is excellent. I liked the fact that we were based at the Canopy Lodge for a week. Since this is a full-on tour with lots of walking, to be constantly moving to another base would have been very tiring, I think. It also allows for the area to be explored properly and we also had great views of animals and birds from the observation deck. I liked the variety and inclusion of a visit to the Panama Canal locks. Alexis and Jen were both very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
V.K. Worcestershire

The leader was laid back and considerate of our needs and wishes and we saw wonderful things. I think taking time out one afternoon and sitting on the viewing platform at the Canopy with a sloth and a howler monkey dozing 20 feet away was wonderful.
M.T. East Sussex

An excellent variety of birds, mammals, butterflies etc. with the best two guides I have ever been with. Their knowledge and ability to find wildlife was outstanding. Alex (Guide) had an uncanny knack of spotting birds and mammals that we had difficulty seeing even when he pointed them out. His knowledge was superb and he ensured we got the maximum out of our stay there. The visit to the Panama Canal was a bonus. My first but not last Naturetrek holiday.
A.B. Gloucestershire

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Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Thu 3rd Jul – Sun 13th Jul ENQUIRE £4,195

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£3,295

2026

Departures Availability Cost

Sun 10th May – Wed 20th May 5 £4,195

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£3,495

Wed 1st Jul – Sat 11th Jul SPACES £4,195

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£3,495

2027

Departures Availability Cost

Fri 7th May – Mon 17th May SPACES £4,295

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£3,595

Fri 2nd Jul – Mon 12th Jul SPACES £4,295

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£3,595

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Tour Reports

Tour report - July 2019

Tour report - August 2017

Tour report - July 2015

Tour report - July 2014

Tour report - May 2014

Tour report - May 2013

Tour report - May 2011

Tour report - May 2010

Tour report - April 2009

Tour report - April 2008

Tour report - November 2006

Tour report - April 2006

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